BLENDED LESSON
Module: Understanding Comics
Lesson: Defining and Designing Comics
Source Documents:
McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. New York: HarperPerennial, 1994. Print.
Duncan, Randy, and Matthew J. Smith. The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture. New York: Continuum, 2009. Print.
Siegel, Jerry, and Joe Shuster. Action Comics. Volume 1, Issue 1. New York: DC Comics, 1938. Print. (Note: Though used here for iconic purposes,
any comic can be used so long as the instructor feels there is an appropriate amount of material with which to discuss the points identified by the
texts, Understanding Comics & The Power of Comics)
PART I: In this area, list the information related to the ‘set-up’ of the lesson.
Lesson Outcomes (goals): Provide a detailed description of what you want the student to walk away with at the end of the lesson.
Use specific verbs. Ensure each can be tied to the source documents listed above.
1.
2.
3
4.
Explain comics with regards to compositional elements and form of storytelling
Identify the composition and panel flow of a comic strip and comic page
Evaluate the composition and narrative flow of a comic strip and comic page
Apply compositional elements to the construction of a comic strip or comic page
Classroom
Online
1. Identify definitions of comics
1. Define comics with consideration of previous
Objectives
2. Discuss elements of comic composition
definitions
3. Explore the mixture of composition and storytelling
2. Discover examples of comic composition
within comics
3. Determine the elements of composition in
examples
4. Demonstrate how to integrate composition with
storytelling within comics
Open Discussion on what are comics. (1)
Online Discussion evaluating student definitions of
Method of
Formal lecture on comics and various definitions. (1)
comics. (1)
Instruction
Open discussion focused on composition based upon
Individual research and sharing. (2)
comic examples. (2)
Peer discussion & evaluation. (2)
1
Smaller group discussions with individual examples of
comics to apply compositions. (2)
Open discussion & informal lecture to cover remaining
questions and concepts. (2)
Guided discussion on how composition and storytelling
create the story. (3)
Small group discussions on what makes a strong story told
within comics (3).
Amount of Time
Needed
Lesson
References
Technological
Resources
Additional
Resources
(Numbers in parentheses related specific objectives
above).
This lesson could be employed in 3 weeks with three 75
minute classes once a week with the interim online
material bridging the class. Each class will tackle one
objective.
 McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics: The Invisible
Art. New York: HarperPerennial, 1994. Print.
 Duncan, Randy, and Matthew J. Smith. The Power of
Comics: History, Form and Culture. New York:
Continuum, 2009. Print.
 Siegel, Jerry, and Joe Shuster. Action Comics. Volume
1, Issue 1. New York: DC Comics, 1938. Print. (Note:
Though used here for iconic purposes, any comic can be
used so long as the instructor feels there is an
appropriate amount of material with which to discuss the
points identified by the texts, Understanding Comics &
The Power of Comics)
 http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/
Projector, powerpoint (or other presentation tool), internet
access.
For additional comic resources with which to use for
powerpoints, discussions, etc, it’s recommended to use this
site: http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/ for public domain
comics.
2
Peer and instructor evaluation (3).
(Numbers in parentheses related specific objectives
above).
Online time will vary per individual, but likely
Objective 1 will take about 1 hour to complete.
Example 2 & 3 will take about an hour to complete
collectively. Objective 3 will take about 3 hours.
Computer, internet access, Diigo account, Comic
Strip generator (see additional resources for
recommendations), LMS System with discussion
forum feature, possibly digital drawing program.
Comic Strip Generators:
BitStrips: http://www.bitstrips.com/
Chogger: http://chogger.com/
Pikistrips: http://www.pikistrips.com/
Strip Generator: http://stripgenerator.com/
ToonDo: http://www.toondoo.com/
Class 1 – Prereading: McCloud 1-2; Power of Comics 1
Class 2 - Prereading: McCloud 3-5, Power of Comics 5
Class 3 - Prereading: McCloud 6-9; Power of Comics 6
NOTES: Online experiences are to follow classroom experiences.
Student
Preparation:
PART II: ACTIVITIES
In this section, provide a detailed description of all activities the students will complete that will either introduce, reinforce, and/or conclude
the lesson. These activities must be related to the lesson outcomes and objectives. Examples include: discussion forums, group projects,
individual projects, research, journal entries, etc.
Activity
Informal Writing Assignment:
Students will identify what the
definition from the readings and also
consider whether they find it a valuable
definition.
Open Discussion: The instructor will
facilitate a discussion around the
definition of comics and the crities of
it.
Online Discussion: After class has
addressed challenges and
considerations with the given
definitions students will need to
provide their own definition to the
question by McCloud, “What is
comics?” In addition to providing their
definition, they must also evaluate
other students’ definitions.
Open Discussion: The discussion will
focus on elements and concepts of
composition with the instructor
Classroom
Class period 1
Online
Class period 1
Lesson Outcome/Objective
Outcome: Explain comics with regards to
compositional elements and form of storytelling
Objective: Identify definitions of comics
Objective: Identify definitions of comics
Online Part 1
Class period 2
Objective: Define comics with consideration of
previous definitions
Outcome: Identify the composition and panel
flow of a comic strip and comic page
Objective: Discuss elements of comic
3
providing panels and pages and the
students identifying and discussing the
different elements.
Smaller Group Discussions: Provide Class period 2
students with one or more examples
and in groups of 2-4, they must identify
and discuss as many compositional
elements and discuss their thoughts on
how they are employed. They will
share their results with the rest of the
class after 15 minutes.
Class period 2
Open Discussion & Informal
Lecture: After the previous activities,
students are welcome to bring up and
inquire about lingering concepts and
elements of composition left
unaddressed or unclear (the instructor
should have a folder of comic images to
call upon good examples of each)
Find a Comic to Discuss: Students
will find a comic page online with
which to discuss elements of
composition and share with the rest of
the class using Diigo.
Peer Discussion & Evaluation:
Students will examine other student’s
examples and evaluate the content as
well, adding to or elaborating upon the
elements of composition the student
identified.
Guided Discussion: The instructor
Class period 3
should develop a series of questions to
ask students about the interrelation of
composition and storytelling in comics;
relying upon examples as needed to
further emphasize points.
composition
Outcome: Identify the composition and panel
flow of a comic strip and comic page
Objective: Discuss elements of comic
composition
Outcome: Identify the composition and panel
flow of a comic strip and comic page
Objective: Discuss elements of comic
composition
Online Part 2
Outcome: Identify the composition and panel
flow of a comic strip and comic page
Objective: Discover examples of comic
composition
Online Part 2
Outcome: Evaluate the composition and
narrative flow of a comic strip and comic page
Objective: Determine the elements of
composition in examples
Outcome: Evaluate the composition and
narrative flow of a comic strip and comic page
Objective: Explore the mixture of composition
and storytelling within comics
4
Small Group Discussion: Students
Class period 3
will discuss and identify are good
comics that they have read which rely
upon the interrelation of composition
and story. If they cannot call upon such
stories, they should be directed to think
about what one would look like.
Create a Comic: Students will utilize
the lessons from class to create a comic.
The instructor should determine if the
project will be physically drawn,
digitally drawn, or created through an
online comic generator. The instructor
should also limit the length and degree
of the comic to make it a feasible
project in a limited time.
Peer and Instructor Evaluation:
Students will post their comics to a
course discussion forum for peers and
the instructor to provide feedback and
commentary on.
NOTES:
Outcome: Evaluate the composition and
narrative flow of a comic strip and comic page
Objective: Explore the mixture of composition
and storytelling within comics
Online Part 3
Outcome: Apply compositional elements to the
construction of a comic strip or comic page
Objective: Demonstrate how to integrate
composition with storytelling within comics
Online Part 3
Outcome: Evaluate the composition and
narrative flow of a comic strip and comic page
Objective: Demonstrate how to integrate
composition with storytelling within comics
PART III: CONTENT PLAN
Use this section to map out the main points for each learning environment. Also, provide a brief description of the content to be included in
each main point.
Main Point
1. Defining and Undefining Comics




Classroom
Brief history of comics development and
comic studies development
McCloud’s Definition vs. Smith/Duncan’s
Definition
Problematizing Definitions of Comics
Basic Elements of a Comic (Page; Panel,
5

Online
Developing one’s own definition.
2. Components of Comics
3. Comic Storytelling








Word Balloon, Narrative Box, Gutter, et al).
Closure
Symbolism & Iconic Representation
Layout
Timing & Motion
Textual and Image Interdependence
Narrative Approach
Artistic Style
Encoding & Encapsulating

Exploring Examples of Comics to Illustrate
Comic Composition



Mis en scene
Angles and Distance
Color and Lighting
NOTES:
PART IV: ASSESSMENT
In this section, provide detailed description of how the students will be assessed. Examples include: multiple choice test, essay, performance
task, etc. It is important that also list the objectives that will be assessed in each area!
Pre-Assessment: Informal Writing
Assignment
Post Assessment: Online Discussion
Pre-Assessment: Open Discussion
Post Assessment: Smaller Group
Discussions
Post Assessment: Find a Comic to
Discuss
Classroom - (Objectives Assessed)
Identify definitions of comics
Identify definitions of comics
Discuss elements of comic composition
Determine the elements of composition in
examples
Discuss elements of comic composition
Discuss elements of comic composition
Post Assessment: Peer Discussion &
Evaluation
Discuss elements of comic composition
Pre-Assessment: Small Group
Discussion
Post Assessment: Create a Comic
Explore the mixture of composition and
storytelling within comics
Explore the mixture of composition and
6
Online - (Objectives Assessed)
Define comics with consideration of
previous definitions
Define comics with consideration of
previous definitions
Determine the elements of composition in
examples
Determine the elements of composition in
examples
Discover examples of comic composition
Determine the elements of composition in
examples
Discover examples of comic composition
Determine the elements of composition in
examples
Demonstrate how to integrate composition
with storytelling within comics
Demonstrate how to integrate composition
storytelling within comics
with storytelling within comics
Explore the mixture of composition and
Demonstrate how to integrate composition
Post Assessment: Peer and Instructor
storytelling within comics
with storytelling within comics
Evaluation
NOTES: Where the assessments take place are identified in the activities section; the Classroom and Online columns here just
identify how the assessments address (where relevant) more than one objective.
PART V: MISCELLANEOUS
Use this section to include miscellaneous information that pertains to the learning environment. Think of it as a ‘bucket’ to hold all of your
creative ideas related to the two learning environments.
Classroom
Online
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